Artus Moser
1894-1992
“Renaissance Man of the Mountains”
Ballad collector, educator, and historian Artus Monroe Moser was born on September 14, 1894, in Hickory, N.C., to David Lafayette (Fayette) Moser and Cordelia Elizabeth King Moser. When Artus was two, the family moved to Buckeye Cove in Swannanoa, NC.
Artus Monroe Moser, born on September 14, 1894, spent his formative years on the Biltmore Estate near Asheville, North Carolina, where his father served as a forester from 1904 to 1917. In 1917, his father assumed the role of the North Carolina State Forest Warden on Mt. Mitchell, and the family resided there for twelve years before relocating to Swannanoa when his father became the Warden for the Beacon Blanket Mill watershed.
After graduating from Biltmore High School in 1917, Moser served a year in active military duty in France during World War I. Post-war, he pursued higher education at the University of North Carolina, earning his degree in 1923. Following a two-year stint as the principal of Swannanoa High School, he returned to UNC for an M.A. degree, which he completed in 1926.
Artus M. Moser, emerged as a writer, educator, historian, and a distinguished authority on collecting, singing, and teaching ballads and folk songs in Western North Carolina. His mission was to meticulously document the rich folk traditions of Appalachia.
“A painter, musician, collector of mountain lore all for the love of it.”
W. Andrew Street. Discussing artus moser. June, 1988.
In 1929, Artus married Mabel Eula Young and they both joined Lincoln Memorial University’s faculty in Kentucky. The Moser family returned to Swannanoa in 1943, where Artus became a professor at Asheville-Biltmore College, initiating the collection of Appalachian folk ballads.
A pivotal moment in 1945 saw Moser presenting his recordings at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, leading to his distinction as the first Appalachian collector of ballads for the Library of Congress.
Moser’s musical talents were showcased in the 1955 release “North Carolina Ballads” on Folkways Records, and his 1974 album, “North Carolina Mountain Folksongs and Ballads,” where his dulcimer skills were highlighted.
Despite penning manuscripts on English ballads and Western North Carolina history, Moser’s works remained unpublished. On December 23, 1992, Artus Monroe Moser passed away in North Carolina, near Asheville, at the age of 98, leaving behind a legacy of cultural preservation and musical contributions to the Appalachian heritage.
Above: A clip from the 1985 Appalshop film, Artus Moser of Buckeye Cove.
“Music in the Southern Appalachians is still an integral part of life, not just a form of entertainment. Wherever you go, you will hear music in the mountains…” – Artus Moser. Journal of the Appalachian Regional Commission. January 1, 1972. Page 30.
The Moser Family Legacy Continues…
Joan Moser
Dorothea Joan Moser (1935-2023), known fondly by everyone as Joan, was a prominent figure in folk music and an accomplished music educator as the eldest daughter of Artus Moser, Sr. From an early age, Joan developed musical talents for guitar, piano, learning ballads, and more. With her father’s meticulously curated papers housed in the Southern Folklife Collection, Joan’s musical versatility shines through as she effortlessly mastered instruments like the banjo, lute, dulcimer, and koto later in life.
Her professional musical journey began with an undergraduate degree in music from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, followed by a master’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Joan shared her musical expertise as a teacher at Brevard College and contributed to Berea College’s summer workshop in Appalachian Studies. In 1977, she founded the Appalachian Studies Program at Warren Wilson College, dedicating herself to fostering an appreciation for Appalachian culture.
Beyond music, Joan was a herbalist and nature enthusiast. Alongside her sister, Irene, brother, Artus Moser, Jr., and nephews Mark and Artus III, Joan actively participated in the old-time Buckeye Band of Swannanoa, continuing the Moser legacy in the heart of the Appalachian landscape.
Listen below to an interview with Joan Moser from the Swannanoa Valley Museum archives.
Part 1:
Part 2:
Irene Moser & Artus Moser, Jr.
Irene Moser, the youngest child of Artus Moser Sr., has devoted much of her life to captivating audiences with her expertise in Appalachian music and folklore. A seasoned lecturer and instructor, Irene, along with her sister Joan, was an integral part of the Mountain Women’s String Band, enchanting audiences throughout Western North Carolina for nearly two decades. In recognition of their significant contributions, Irene and Joan were honored with the Brown-Hudson Folklore Award by the North Carolina Folklore Society in 2006, an accolade their father had received in 1972.
The musical legacy continues for Irene as she, along with her brother Artus, Jr., and nephews Mark and Artus III, remains an active member of the old-time Buckeye Band of Swannanoa. This musical ensemble, bearing homage to their family’s residence in Buckeye Cove, ensures that the Moser family’s musical prowess endures through the ages.
